Stéphanie Senet
Dutch electric fishing in Brussels’ sights
Following a complaint by the NGO BLOOM in October 2017, the European Commission is expected to initiate an infringement procedure against the Netherlands for illegally issuing licenses to trawlers engaging in electric fishing. EURACTIV France’s partner Journal de l’environnement reports.
New Caledonia bans disposable plastics
On 27 December, the Congress of New Caledonia voted to do away with most single-use plastic objects by 2020. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.
First European agreement on recycled fertilisers
The regulation on the use of organic and waste-based fertilisers was the subject of a tripartite agreement on 13 December. Its aim is to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers in Europe. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.
Seychelles issues the world’s first ‘Blue Bond’
For the first time, a state – Seychelles – has issued a 'Blue Bond', which will finance the protection of marine ecosystems and the development of sustainable fishing. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnement reports.
135 French MPs lobby hard for the ecological transition
A parliamentary group, bringing together 135 French MPs from across the political spectrum, wants to collectively carry the issues of the ecological transition, particularly during the debate on the 2019 finance bill. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.
Banned plastics: European Parliament’s list grows longer
MEPs in the environment committee are extending the ban on single-use plastics. They are also targeting takeaway packaging, bottles and cigarette butts. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnement reports.
Wetlands disappearing three times faster than forests
The planet lost a third of its wetlands between 1970 and 2015. Moreover, this decline has been accelerating since the beginning of the century due to urbanisation, agriculture and climate change. This was the Ramsar Convention’s warning in a report published on 27 September. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnement, reports.
Half of Europe not on track with waste recycling
Fourteen EU member states have to step up efforts to reach the target of recycling 50% of municipal waste in 2020 - an objective set by the framework directive in 2008. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnement, reports.
Mercury in the water: 40% of Europe’s lakes and rivers contaminated
40% of the EU’s surface water bodies are contaminated with levels of mercury, endangering birds and marine mammals. An article by our partner, the Journal de l’Environnement.
Thailand: The rich world’s new dumpsite for e-waste
Thailand has become one of the largest dumpsites for electronic waste from developed countries since China’s January ban on the import of plastic waste. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’environnement reports.
Brussels calls for closer monitoring of fishing rules… on paper
The European Commission presented its proposal for revised fishing rules last week (30 May). But while the proposals have good intentions, they provide no real guarantees of efficiency. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’Environnement reports.
Ecolabels have lost all credibility, report claims
Lack of transparency, oversights, confusion… A report by the Dutch Foundation Changing Markets, published on 3 May, reveals the inefficiency of environmental labels, particularly for seafood, textiles and palm oil. EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'environnement reports.
WTO relaunches negotiations on fisheries subsidies
The WTO has recently announced that negotiations on fisheries subsidies around the world will be relaunched, with the aim to secure an agreement by 2019.
France to implement a new environmental tax?
The Amorce association, an association of local authorities and businesses in the fields of waste, energy and heating networks, revealed the tax measures which will be included in the French national roadmap on circular economy (FREC).
Norway only liable for emissions produced within borders, court rules
Environmental groups have failed in their bid to prevent Norway from issuing exploration licences in the Barents Sea. A court did not agree that the decision breaches the Norwegian constitution, insisting it only applies to emissions produced within the country's borders. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’environnement reports.
Greens table action against programmed obsolescence
The European Parliament broke new ground on Friday (19 May), when French Green MEP Pascal Durand submitted an own initiative report aimed at tackling products with an artificially built-in shelf life, with MEPs due to vote soon. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.
Hamon outclasses presidential rival Valls on green issues
Benoît Hamon’s late sally into the French presidential race has added another intriguing player to the equation. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement takes a look at Hamon and fellow Socialist candidate Manuel Valls in terms of their environmental credentials.
Denmark cuts food waste by 25%
The Scandinavian kingdom has cut food waste by 25% in just five years, thanks to a new approach to damaged and out-of-date food. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Africa suffers more than any other continent from climate risks
Africa has been the continent hardest hit by extreme weather events over the last 20 years, according to the latest Global Climate Risk Index, published on 8 November by the NGO Germanwatch. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Paris convinces Brussels of good intentions on nitrate pollution
The European Commission has approved France's new action plan against nitrate pollution. But there is no guarantee it will improve the quality of surface or groundwater. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
29 million vehicles exceed EU NOX limits
One year on from the revelation of Volkswagen's fraudulent emissions testing, a study has revealed that 29 million diesel vehicles in Europe exceed the legal limit for nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Paris set to miss COP21 commitments
The French capital cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 9.2% between 2004 and 2014. But this is not enough to reach its 25% target by 2020. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
EU bans deep sea trawling
Two and a half years after the European Parliament's surprise refusal, the European institutions on Thursday (30 June) finally agreed to ban trawler fishing at depths of more than 800 metres. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.